Aquasential™ Select Series™ Water Softener

Say goodbye to the hassles of hard water

Benefits of Aquasential™ Select Series™ Water Softener

Enjoy longer-lasting appliances

Reduce damaging scale buildup in water heaters, humidifiers and other water-using appliances throughout your home.

Conserve soft water for when you need it most

The patented Cul-Flo-Valv® allows you to bypass these systems when you don’t need soft water, like when you are watering your lawn.

Decrease operating costs & save on cleaning supplies

Spend less on soaps, detergents, lotions, water, electricity, and other utilities.

Monitor daily usage & regenerate only when required

Culligan’s meter option monitors daily water use and activates regeneration only when needed to conserve salt and water.

Financing terms defined by third-party vendor if applicable. Dealer participation varies. See dealer for details.

A Culligan Aquasential™ Select Series™ Water Softener gives you

All features of a Culligan water softener in an affordable design

Reduces damaging scale buildup in water-using appliances

Demand regeneration saves water, salt and electricity

Operates even in a power outage

How a water softener works

Water softening utilizes a process called “ion exchange” to remove dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

These minerals can’t be trapped by a filter, so a molecular reaction is required. Water softeners have resin beads that hold onto sodium, and as hard water flows through the resin, the sodium is swapped for the hard water minerals. The hard water minerals are trapped inside the softener so they never reach your skin, hair or plumbing fixtures.

Frequently asked questions

What is hard water?

Hard water occurs naturally in more than 85% of the water supply in North America. Hard water contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. When this water dries, minerals stick to everything water touches — including your plumbing, hair and skin.

According to the Water Quality Association, hard water contains dissolved minerals above one grain per gallon (GPG), though relative levels of hardness have been established and are as follows:

Soft - less than 1 GPG
Slightly hard - 1 to 3.5 GPG
Moderately hard - 3.5 to 7 GPG
Hard - 7 to 10.5 GPG
Very Hard - 10.5 and higher GPG

What are the effects of hard water?

The presence of hard water in your home results in:

Limescale buildup around faucets or showerheads
Soap scum on shower walls, bathtubs, sinks and other fixtures
Plumbing and pipe corrosion
Streaky or spotted dishes
Stiff, scratchy laundry
Irritated, dry skin or dull, lifeless hair
Decreased efficiency of appliances and more frequent breakdowns
An increase in the amount of soap and detergent needed for cleaning

What is the difference between softening and filtering water?

You don't have to be a water expert to understand the basic principles behind water softening and water filtration. Here's an abridged version of what happens when you soften or filter water.

Softening water involves a process called "ion exchange" to remove dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can't be trapped in a filter bed. Softeners contain resin beads with sodium attached. As water enters the tank, dissolved calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin. The resin swaps the sodium in exchange for the dissolved minerals, helping to remove the impurities from the water.

Meanwhile, filtering water involves the separation of particles from H2O. By passing water through a "filter bed" or "media bed", these granular particles are trapped and cleaner water flows to your tap. Water filters reduce a wider array of contaminants than water softeners.

Is it safe to drink softened water?

Yes, for nearly everyone it is safe to drink softened water. Some people are concerned that drinking softened water will increase the level of sodium in their diet. But the amount of sodium added to water during the softening process is low. If sodium levels remain a concern, combining your water softener with a reverse osmosis drinking water system can help to reduce salt and potentially harmful contaminants.

Does a water softener require maintenance?

Yes, to continue operating at peak performance, a water softener requires regular maintenance. Having your local Culligan water expert perform an annual inspection on the equipment will not only extend the lifespan of your water softener, but it also has the potential to decrease future repair costs. Part of this inspection will include water testing, which helps to identify other contaminants that may impact operation.

Water softeners are usually trouble-free. Especially if salt levels are regularly monitored. Culligan water can help with scheduled salt delivery service that checks over the unit and saves you from transporting and lifting those heavy bags.

But if you prefer to do it yourself, make sure to use quality solar salt. That should lessen another issue — salt bridging in the brine tank. A salt bridge is a layer of hardened salt crust. If you suddenly lack soft water or your softener stops using salt, you should check the brine tank before calling for service. High temperatures, humidity or poor salt quality can create a bridge and prevent the softener's resin beads from regenerating. In clearing salt bridges, use caution because improper cleaning can puncture a hole in the wall of your water softener.